Click links for 2006 News, 2006 Results, 2007 News and Results

31st December
Wyvis run (last night) report - Russell and Alex braved -20 temp on top and making good use of the new staircase they managed to navigate of an-cabar safely to enjoy a dram and christmas cake back at the car park.
 
Training run on Saturday 3rd January. Meet at 9.30am at end of single track road before Loch Glass. If you have memory map you should be able to open link to route map.
If not here is brief route description - Head along to weir then climb up towards windmills and head for Meall Mor then Meall Beag and from here down to Wyvis lodge. From here take steep track south from Corravachie and follow before turning of towards Glas Leathad summit on to Meall na Drochaide and finally meall a' chrimig. drop down to landrover track and pass Eileanach lodge before reaching the road again. distance approx 25k and relaxed pace. Depending on weather, will confirm on message board by 8am on sat morning.
'Loch Glass circular' -route map

29th December - hhr agm 2008
Law Breaker  - 28th December
Graeme Campbell had a good run to finish 6th at the inaugural 'Law Breaker' hill race
results

22nd December - Pub Run update
7 started 4 finished and 2 were disqualified for inappropriate dress, car usage on the long leg to Lochardil / consuming coffee & then not showing at the jolly duck!

17th December - Inter District xc team
Congratulations to Mari Todd, Roxy Bannerman and Graeme Campbell who have been picked to run for the North District in Edinburgh on the 10th of January.
inter_district_Team(1)

15th December - Pub Run 20th December i.e. THIS SATURDAY
This years pub run is on this Saturday starting at 7.00pm at Whetherspons (on Church Street). Russell has devised a devious route encompassing the good, the bad and the ugly of Invernessian hostelries. There is NO obligation to follow Russell to the bitter end so just turn up for a couple if you can.

15th December - Dolomites Sky Race
Jonathan Appleby completed the Dolomites Skyrace in the summer. So if you are stuck for movitation in these cold winter months or need a target race for next year read on...

Up at 6am. Light breakfast at 7am. Left Pordoi at 7.30am and drove to Canazei village where the race started at 8.30am. We ran through the village streets, onto a steep uphill track beside a river, then the route followed the line of a ski run - sometimes jogging and sometimes reduced to a fast walk with my hands on my thighs.

I was keen to reach Passo Pordoi to avoid being timed out there. The gradient eased off approaching Pordoi, and on arrival there I took on some water and headed off up the grassy path towards the infamous zigzags of the Forcella, a 600m high scree gully. Sue and the kids were waiting a short distance up the path armed with cameras, and a short distance further on we were up out of the clouds. Although it was hard work I was enjoying myself, knowing that I was on course to reach the summit within the time limit.

A big crowd shouted us on at Forcella Pordoi – a scene reminiscent of the Tour de France. With some occasional scrambling, we approached the summit across the limestone moonscape and climbed some rock bands protected by steel cables. I teamed up temporarily with an Italian runner who said I was his personal pacemaker!

At last the spectators increased again as we approached the cabin on the summit. I touched the small statue of the Madonna on the summit as I passed. What a moment – awesome views across the void to the glaciers of the Marmolada. Then off down a scree path which led down to the rocky gully in the cliff band. The gully was protected by cables initially, then became big steps lower down. Out of the gully and off down to Rifugio Boe - another watering station. Then off over L'Antersas (touching the cairn as I passed) and across the barren limestone slabs leading to the start of the descent.

The descent was a mixture of stone steps and rock bands, interspersed with scree and paths. A detour west early on led around and above a band of cliffs, and a path gave access to the upper part of Val Lasties, a most magical place surrounded by huge cliffs. The path twisted and turned along the steep valley floor, losing height all the way, and eventually we reached the zigzags below the cliffs which led steeply down to road level. Sometimes the path would traverse across the hillside for some distance before resuming the descent.

After Pian de Schiavaneis there was a slight uphill (aargh!) to gain a twisting path which descended to the village. This last section was the hardest, and the path never seemed to end, although in reality it only lasted for 20 minutes! My legs were very tired, and even on the track leading steeply down into the village I couldn't get up a good speed. It was a relief to arrive in the village, turn a couple of corners, and run into the finish area. I was well and truly knackered after the last few miles downhill.

My only regret is that I had to concentrate on foot placement, so wasn't able to spend so much time admiring the awe-inspiring scenery all around me. Would I do it again? Most definitely – a fantastic race!!

Placed 292 out of 510 finishers (470 male finishers). Official time 3:19:35.

14th December - Lossie 10 mile Turkey Trot.
Relatively mild and calm conditions and a strong run from lone HHR Roxy to finish 2nd sheila (64 ish mins) behind Elaine Whyte (62 ish).
1st senior male Ben Livesey in just over 52 mins - dressed as a fairy!
results to follow.
TURKET_TROT_08_RESULTS(1)[1
Apologies to Steve Mardon who also took part and finished in just over 70 minutes.

6th December Ratagan Weekend Report
Another successful Youth Hostel weekend in a very nice and warm hostel at the bottom of Glen Shiel. The weather on Saturday was superb with wall to wall blue skies. Deep snow made the going hard up high whereas lower down the paths were rivers of ice. People did various walks and runs on the way over and everyone was thirsting for refreshments by the time they reached Ratagan. After food, Fran and Dave were upset to learn that the pheasant they had 'bagged' with an ice-axe needed a day or two of hanging first so made do with sausages, the games began. Lacking ballons the only thing around was a ca. 1980s version of Trivial Pursuit. Missing the older members of the club, teams struggled with the more analogue questions. So who does remember 'Dial-A-Disc'??

Sore heads and minging weather dampend down the enthusiasim levels a bit on Sunday, but most people still got something done. The next trip should be in Feburary 2009 at Inchnadamph and there will be a further bunkhouse trip in the summer (venue and timing to be confirmed).

4th December
Forres held the North of Scotland xc championships on Nov 29th.
Results here: http://www.forresharriers.org.uk/RaceResults/north_district_Results-2008(1).xls
pictures here: http://forresharriers.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album35
Club AGM report to follow soon.

18th November
Upcoming Events
Ratagan hostel
Booked for Sat night 6th Dec. Free to all club members. If enough people want to go on Friday as well it might be worth booking Fri but would need to share cost. Please email or Tel Russell if going. http://www.rentahostel.com/web/site/Hostels/Ratagan.asp 

Sat 29th November
AGM Clanlan Barron Taylors St Inverness 8pm 

Sat 20th Dec
Pub run Inverness 6 miles and as many pubs. Details to follow

11th October
North District Cross Country Relays
Congratulations to the HHR senior men's team of Ross Bannerman, Fran Williams, Dave Cummins and Graeme Campbell who held off Kieth and District in close race over home turf at Strathpeffer to win the 2008 cross country relays, for the first time in the club's history. Results to follow; well done guys!

9th October
Bennachie Hill Race
1. Simon Peachey Carnethy 57:32
2. Craig Mitchell Lochaber AC 58:39
3. Kyle Grieg Forres Harriers 58:47
6. Ross Bannerman HHR 1:00:49
29. Sonia Armitage Cosmics 1:09:20
34. Veronique Oldham Norham RC 1:10:43
38. Ruth MacKenzie Deeside 1:11:44
41. Roxy Bannerman HHR 1:12:21
56. Alex Brett HHR 1:16:58
131 ran, full results here

Loch Ness Marathon
1. Ezekiel Cherup 2:28:03
2. David Kirkland Alnwick 2:28:32
3, Marcus Scotney Dumfires 2:34:49
13. Lucy Colquhoun Carnethy 2:52:41
19. Jennifer MacLean Edinburgh AC 2:54:52
37. Roz Alexander 3:01:38
160. Mary Johnson HHR 3:24:53
572. Alice Snow HHR 3:57:50
1400 ran

River Ness 10k
1. Tsegezeab Woldmelmichael Shettleston Harriers 29:35
2. Amauel Hagus Shettleston Harriers 29:36
3. Andrew Douglas Caithness AAC 31:00
21. Amiest Tewelde Shettleston Harriers 35:45
24. Alison Docherty Central AC 36:15
29. Shona McIntosh Glasgow University 36:32
107. Iain McIntyre HHR 40:30
191. Frances Thin HHR 43:40
2112 ran
Full results of marathon and 10k available here

30th September
Cross Country Relays
We are hosting the XC relays at the Strathpeffer community centre on Saturday the 11th of October. Henry is unable to organise this one so Ray has sorted the course and will be along on the day.
 
We need 6 or so marshalls to help with out on the course and with teas and coffees. (Cakes or sandwiches are also needed)
If you are able to help please let Henry know - Henryblake1979@hotmail.com

Two Breweries
1 Alasdair Anthony Ochil HR 02:47:58
2 Jethro Lennox Shettleston Harriers 02:49:10
3 Colin Donnelly Lochaber AC 02:51:10
22 Lucy Colquhoun Carnethy HR 03:12:35
32 Jill Mykura Carnethy HR 03:18:01
35 Ross Bannerman HHR 03:20:39
43 Dawn Scott Lochaber AC 03:29:13
176 ran, full results here

Dyke 10k
1 Ben Livesey Forres Harriers 31.43
2 Ross Milne Moray Roadrunners 32.06
3 Mark Mitchell Forres Harriers 33.42
29 Elaine Whyte Fraserburgh 38.43
34 Kelda Spratt RAF Tri 39.39
37 Sarah Liebnitz Invernes Harriers 40.27
50 Roxy Bannerman HHR 41.38
152 ran, full results here

20th September
Neil's Ramsay Round Report
RAMSAY ROUND 12TH -------13TH JULY 2008
We will admit no negative thought.

Just before 11:15 am on 12th July, Fran Williams and I stood nervously at our selected start line for an attempt on the Ramsay Round, watching the digits on my watch tick down : and then we were off.11:15 sharp, only 24 hours to go!

Jogging steadily along the forest road we soon hit the junction that marked the narrow path down to the road, reaching the hostel in 19mins and then headed up the Ben path, which was even busier than usual that day with 3 Peaks Challengers.

Our one man support team: Dave Raffe and his large rucksack, had been dropped off at the hostel and was now somewhere up ahead of us, carrying our kit. Dodging the descending Challengers, we grew a little concerned that there was no sign of Dave. He had covered the ground rather more enthusiastically than we had anticipated and we began to worry that we might miss him on the ascent somewhere. We were relieved therefore when we rounded a bend and saw him sitting waiting for us at the shortcut for the Red Burn. There we re-distributed the load between the 3 of us, leaving Dave nobly carrying my shoe change which I had stupidly forgotten to leave at the Treig Dam that morning. Apart from the shoes, Fran and I carried all of our own kit from this point on.

Head down get on with it saw us up to the Ben summit, which was heaving with people, all admiring the typical Nevis view, in 1hr20 mins from the hostel. Perhaps being over keen to get off the top away from the crowds and into the Round, we were a bit too hasty in our route choice off the summit in the cloud, and ended up having to track right to re-find the correct line, losing some of the time we had gained on the ascent. Soon though the CMD arête materialised out of the mists and we skipped along it, now on the crest, now on the path on the right, pausing only briefly to allow Fran to right himself after a skite on a damp greasy boulder. He seemed none the worse for wear and we were soon along at CMD still in cloud: quick map check—no more wrong turns please—and then carefully off down to the col and then in no time, well OK schedule time, we were striding up Aonach Mor, again in the drizzle which had been coming and going intermittently.

A quick tap of the cairn, then off to catch Dave who had headed direct to Aonach Beag.

We were all enjoying the running now that we could actually get going on the descent off AB, to find the line down to start the Grey Corries, and as we descended, coming out of the cloud, we had our first views of the Corries themselves and of the Mamores, tantalisingly close across the head of the Glen. How long would it be before we stood atop Binnein Beag? How tempting was it to head straight over there?

We took the steep-to-start ridge off AB down to the col, rather than the gully that many people seem to choose: Dave, who was the only one of the three of us to have done both, reckoned the ridge to be the better line.

The first main group now done, spirits were high as we trotted on to start the Grey Corries section into what looked like the improving forecast we had been promised, and the summits fell, one by one.

First Sgurr Choinnich Mor, via the traverse of SG Beag, then on to Stob Coire an Laoigh, pausing to re-fill the bottles at the small burn in the coire below the summit, and then back into the vaporous clouds for the rest of the ridge before the long descent to the lochan below Stob Ban. Struggling up the scree to this last top, we carefully placed every step, not wanting to waste any scrap of energy or upward momentum.

From SB we had a great run down the ridge, enjoying the easy running on forgiving terrain, but all the while knowing that every metre we descended would have to be re-won with interest on the ascent of the Easains, which dominated the forward prospect. Before then however, we had a food cache to look forward to, assuming Fran could find it, having stashed it a few nights previously.

No problems there however and we were soon filling the bags and then off again to begin the long long slog up the Easains. We had covered this section only a few weeks previously on a recce trip and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking how good it had been then to cruise down the long slopes of Stob a Choire Mheadhoin with the luxury of a seat in the car and dry clothes just a short way away. Maybe it was thoughts like these that had Fran then, and me shortly after , thinking longingly of Dave’s car, parked at the road end.

However, we trudged on and, just about on schedule, hit the first of the two tops and 15 mins later, the second, to begin the long coasting run down to the dam and the waiting food/clothes change.

Cheese rolls, creamed rice and coffee have never tasted so good, and maybe never will again, as we sat on the concrete wall at the dam, relieved to have made it so far round the Round and with time in hand. All too soon though, our reverie was brought to an abrupt halt by the watch and the constant need to keep pressing on.

We ran round the “tidemark” to the “right tree”, then straight over the West Highland Line , through the wood at its narrowest point and onto the lower slopes of Stob Coire Sgriodain. Maybe it was the sudden food overload, or just the cumulative effect of the miles already done, and even more so, the knowledge of those still to do, but I had a major sense of humour failure on this ascent, which lasted with me well on to Beinn na Lap.

Feeling nauseous and fatigued, it was all I could do to keep up with Fran who seemed to have shaken off the downer he had been afflicted by on the Easains’ ascent. Too tired at the summit to care, I forced myself to pop a few chocolate raisins and do a quick map check.

On a previous run over this ground we had taken, in good visibility, a really good traverse line, avoiding one of the reasonably significant humps on the ridge beyond SCS. In our present state, in the cloud and drizzle, and with the darkness fast approaching, there was no way we would find this line so we just headed on over the bumps to the grassy upper slopes of Chno Dearg.

Here, harried by the need to keep pushing on, I was less exacting with the bearing down to the coire than I should have been, but we hit the red scree slopes, so it must have been OK: or so we thought until we popped out of the cloud into the dusk, a little further north than we should have.

This, however turned out not to be a bad thing, as it meant that we could more easily get on to Beinn na Lap’s ridge and easier ground than would have been the case had we come down the coire as intended.The split for this section between CD and BnL was just a minute or two down on schedule which I would probably ascribe to my still low spirits and slow pace, rather than what I had at first thought was a route finding error: it wasn’t so bad after all!

That thought, and the reaching of the top of BnL lifted my mood hugely and I felt much happier enjoying the long easy run down to the railway, especially the final few hundred metres through a profusion of brilliant white bog cotton, shining almost luminescently, in the now near dark.

In better form , we jogged steadily down to the head of Loch Treig then along to the lodge before the left turn up the Abhainn Rath, whose headwaters we had passed all those hours ago in the Grey Corries.

At the bridge, we paused to put on headtorches and then power walked up the valley, soon passing Staoineag, whose roof shone in the one brief glimpse of moonlight the almost total cloud cover permitted. Embraced by the lower valley, enjoying the easy pace, still up on schedule, revelling in the peace of the night, we pushed on.

Then, ahead, the eastern Mamores suddenly loomed darkly against the dim night sky. Truly magical. We searched the darkness for the distinctive profile of the Luibelt trees, and then there they were, and here were the stepping stones, and we were across the river and on the road home.

Behind, the outlying top of Stob Ban and the Grey Corries were now once again close at hand, only now we were almost upon the Mamore tops which so many hours and miles previously had seemed so far, almost unattainably far, away. Meanach bothy too lay behind, but no thought now (as there had been crossing Sgriodain and Chno Dearg) of taking refuge there and dozing the night away.

Fran found the start of the landrover track which we first walked then jogged, spurred on to our final food cache at Loch Eilde Mor. Encouragingly, it wasn’t long before we could just discern the outline of the small loch,then the ruined buildings, and then there it was: the wooden bridge, the building, the big loch, the food.

Quickly, or as quickly as our tired minds could manage, we re-supplied and then began the last of the BIG CLIMBS. No sooner had we started on up when Fran began to make strange noises, only a few feet away from me. Just as I was asking if he was alright, he promptly convulsed and rather spectacularly threw up the chocolate milk drink which only a few minutes previously I had been eyeing enviously. Fortunately Fran seemed none the worse for this episode and the rest of the ascent was reassuringly uneventful.

Still dark at the summit of Sgurr Eilde Mor, we quickly found the descent path down through the scree, the route still fresh in my mind from a recent visit, and then, with the aid of the compass, found the zig zag start of the excellent stalkers’ track to Binnein Beag across the deeper darkness of the coire.

BB was fairly routinely ascended and then on to Binnein Mor and the main ridge: up the enjoyable scrambly ridge which, in the early light of a grey dawn, gave an entertaining route to the top.

We now felt properly established on the final section and with every step being a step nearer our goal, and the time still well with us, my confidence grew with the increasing daylight.

A quick traverse on the Nevis side, then Na Gruagaichean,(bypassing the subsidiary top by the “Yiannis Tridimas traverse” on the Kinlochleven side—a good line if you contour round from the level of the intervening col); running down vividly green slopes in the early morning sun; the fine running traverse path leading out to the col below the ridge of An Gearanach. Back, up the zig zags to Stob Coire a Chairn, and on to the slow plodding climb up Am Bodach which was surely named for us that day.

Having previously experimented with a traverse of Sgorr an Iubhair, I had no hesitation in going straight over it this time, and then steeply down the scree path to dump the bags for the final outlier: Sgurr a’ Mhaim. We had slowed a bit by now and although I was still feeling absolutely confident that we would finish in time, I felt Fran was, in a not-wanting-to tempt-fate sort of way, expressing a little more caution, probably borne of the pain he was now suffering in both knees.

Fran commented that it was a long way to Sgurr a Mhaim to which I countered, supposedly re-assuringly, that this was just the distorting effect of the cloud now obscuring the view and that it was “nearer than it looks”. Just the sort of annoying stuff you need from your running mate.

Anyway, he was right, I was wrong: it is a long way, but we hit the top just a couple of minutes down on the schedule for that split, but overall still with plenty of time in hand. We had dropped a couple of minutes on this and the previous split, but extrapolating that to the finish I knew that we were still going to do it and thought of those others, whose reports we had read or heard about who had found themselves at this point hard up against the clock and was grateful that we had somehow pushed ourselves on enough to have a reasonable margin that we could now enjoy the final section over Stob Ban and the Mullach, the magical final Mullach.

All too soon? Not quite, but still within schedule, we trudged over Stob Ban, then gingerly on painful tired legs over quartzite scree, and finally the gentler path to the last Munro and its massive cairn.With the quickest of backward glances, not capabale yet of absorbing what we had done, down for the last time, we began the descent to Glen Nevis.

Tentatively, quads bursting, we slithered down the steep green slopes to the woods. Straining over the deer fence, careful not to pull or twist our tired overworked leg muscles we gained the mucky path twisting down through the trees, roots conniving to force a slip, before emerging onto the forest road.

In a daze, we walked tiredly down the road: finishing point in sight, we broke into a trot for the final 100metres or so, crossing that line 23hours 15minutes after we had first set off.

We had completed the Ramsay Round! Relief. Disbelief, almost. I said it again to myself to make the point sink home “We have done the Ramsay Round!” The words sounded good in my head.

A brilliant, epic Scottish hill day. Superb!

Fran's vesion of events can be found on his blog page here

7th July
Glamaig Hill Race
1. Brian Marshall HELP 49:39
2. Alec Keith HBT 51:04
3. Kenny Riddle HHR 54:29
13. Ross Bannerman HHR 1:01:54
32. Alex Brett HHR 1:14:19
34. Lois Noble Cosmics 1:15:42
37. Amanda Blackhall Lochaber AC 1:17:11
47. Elaine Rose Pennine FR 1:23:14
82 ran full results here

Dollar Hill Race
1. Jethro Lennox Shettleston 1:13:59
2. Alasdair Anthony Ochil HR 1:14:16
3. Murray Strain HBT 1:15:54
6. Graeme Campbell HHR 1:21:17
21. JIll Mykura Carnethy 1:30:18
23. Dawn Scott Lochaber AC 1:30:38
48. Alayne Finlay Knaevesemire H 1:39:14
104 ran, full results here

2nd July
Tain 10k
1 Iain Allan Inverness Harriers 37:33
2 Alasdair McLeod HHR 38:14
3 Simon Bath u/a 38:51
9 Roxy Bannerman HHR 42:44
12 Jenny Bannerman Inverness Harriers 42:57
21 Sheena Sutherland Portobello Running Club 45:14
65 ran, full results here

28th June
Fyrish Hill Race
1 Graeme Campbell MS HHR 53:00
2 Henry Blake MS HHR 54:11
3 Ross Bannerman MS HHR 56:38
4 David Gallie M40 Inverness Harriers 57:44
5 Matthew Sutherland MS Caithness AAC 58:38
6 Graeme Campbell M40 Inverness Harriers 59:54
7 Scott Craighead MS Unattached 1:00:37
8 Mari Todd FS HHR 1:01:27
9 Jim Meehan M40 HHR 1:03:01
10 Douglas MacDonald MS Inverness Harriers 1:04:36
11 Roxy Bannerman FS HHR 1:07:00
12 Alex Sutherland M60 Unattached 1:07:22
13 Jude Watmough MS Unattached 1:09:33
14 Russell McKechnie M40 HHR 1:11:20
15 Brian MacDonald M40 Unattached 1:11:53
16 Angela Phillip FS Forfar Roadrunners 1:12:09
17 Thomas Mathieson M40 Unattached 1:14:08
18 Phil Hindell MS HHR 1:14:29
19 Colin Earnshaw MS Unattached 1:15:40
20 Julie Wilson F40 Inverness Harriers 1:15:42
21 Ian Matheson M40 Thames Valley Harriers 1:15:58
22 David Morrison MS Unattached 1:18:16
23 Emily Hoskins FS Tain Runners 1:20:57
24 Leo Sharratt M70 Unattached 1:22:36
25 Rod MacKay M50 Unattached 1:24:30
26 Ross MacDonald MS Unattached 1:26:49
27 Ian McKenzie M60 Tain Runners 1:27:15
28 Anne MacKay FS Tain Runners 1:27:25
29 Ali Johnston FS HBT 1:28:45

26th June
Ramsay Updated
News from Fran's Ramsay plan - This is a schedule for a 10:30am start although we may set off a bit later (around midday).
The main support points are at Loch Treig Dam and Loch Eilde Mor. If anyone feels like camping at these spots and providing moral support they would be on my Christmas card list for ever. Obviously the weather plays a huge role in this so we haven't set on a weekend yet, but it will either be the 12th or 19th July. Additional food drops or support points (esp. one by the waterfall in Lairg Leacach) will also be put in place by myself or Neil or friendly individuals should they so wish.
Basically the Round breaks up into three. An initial hilly and rock first section that is about 8h long is followed by a much shorter, flatter and boggier section (5h) and lastly a rocky 9h romp across the Mamores. If you fancy running one of these legs please let me know and you would be more than welcome. We have pretty much reccied all of the route so even if you don't know the area too well the company would be much appreciated. The pace is pretty slow and on our last reccy we did about 20 miles of it in under 6hs which was about 1.5h less than the scheduled time. So the pace really is steady so don't use that as an excuse not to run along with us!
Due to the finish time we are sorted for a pub lunch afterwards and it is my intention to finish even if we are down on the 24h schedule. If I suggest giving up just give me a good kicking!

Lake District Mountain Trial
Entries are open for this year’s Lake District Mountain Trial (to be held on Sunday 14th September 2008). Online entry is preferred but paper copies are also available. To access all the information, please go to the Trial website www.ldmta.org.uk.

Highland Cross
1. Henry Blake HHR 3:37:35
6. Dave Cummins HHR 3:50:39
8. Angus McLeod HHR 3:55:08
17. Ian Meek HHR 4:04:44
23. Richard Lonnen HHR 4:08:12
25. Ross Bannerman HHR 4:08:42
41. Iain McIntyre HHR 4:21:03
50. Sandra Brett 4:24:43
51. William MacLeod HHR 4:25:23
61. Roxy Bannerman HHR 4:29:58
97. Mary Johnson HHR 4:45:41
111. Rob Shaw HHR 4:50:01
120. Alex Brett HHR 4:53:36
134. Alasdair Lawton HHR 4:57:11
179. Alice Snow HHR 5:10:06
678 completed, full results here

Slioch Horseshoe
1 Simon Peachey Carnethy M 02:02:09
2 Alasdair Anthony Ochil HR M 02:03:33
3 Alec Keith HBT M40 02:04:29
4 Brian Marshall HELP M 02:11:14
5 Dave Cummins Highland HR M40 02:14:29
6 Matt Sullivan Shettleston M 02:18:05
7 Dennis MacDonald Cosmics M40 02:21:18
8 Jason Williamson Cosmics M 02:21:46
9 Crawford Spence Westerlands M 02:22:42
10 Chris Upson Westerlands M40 02:24:43
11 Frank Popham Fife AC M 02:26:36
12 Neil Speight Highland HR M40 02:27:53
13 Ian Meek Highland HR M40 02:29:27
14 Steven Fallon Carnethy M40 02:30:10
15 David Hirst Deeside M40 02:31:10
16 Martin Hulme Corstorphine M50 02:31:46
17 Gavin Miles Deeside M 02:34:16
18 Ade Pottinger Highland HR M 02:39:57
19 Yiannis Tridimas Bowland FR M60 02:42:12
20 Graham Arthur Ilkley Harriers M60 02:42:56
21 Richard Bush Carnethy M40 02:47:43
22 Owen Bass Deeside M40 02:48:31
23 Dave Michell Dundee Hawkhill M40 02:54:04
24 Angus Bowman Beacon Runners M5002:58:42
25 Eilidh Wardlaw HBT F 02:58:50
26 Ken Rumgay Lochaber AC M40 03:02:39
27 Graeme Morrison Unattached M50 03:04:07
28 Joanne Anderson Carnethy F 03:07:35
29 Michael Diver Clydesdale M40 03:10:46
30 Roxy Bannerman Highland HR F 03:11:38
31 Dagmar Borrowman Cosmics F 03:15:32
32 Fiona Dahl Cosmics F 03:23:46
33 Anita Laidlaw Fife AC F 03:26:09
34 Elaine Stewart Cosmics F50 03:29:13
35 Mike Milmoe Forres HarriersM50 03:33:35
36 Neil Campbell Carnegie M40 03:39:28
37 Richard Tait Swaledale M50 03:43:27
38 Peter Henry Deeside MV50 03:45:34
39 Jean Bowman Beacon Runners F50 03:47:20

Scottish Island Peaks Race
Congratulations to Henry Blake and Neil Speight for completing this year’s race; to see the full results click here.

Nairnshire Challenge
1. Paul Roddden HHR 2:11:31
5. Angus MacLeod HHR 2:23:29
9. Ian Meek HHR 2:27:16
13. Richard Lonnen HHR 2:30:03
25. Iain McIntyre HHR 2:34:39
40. Mari Todd HHR 2:40:14
47. Alasdair McDougall HHR 2:42:26
69. Ranald Whyte HHR 2:49:18
85. Alex Brett HHR 2:51:28
96. Rob Shaw HHR 2:53:56
209. Alice Snow HHR 3:13:18
617 completed, full results here

Benromach 10k
1 Ben Livesey FH 31.58 M
2 Frankie Barton K&D 34.00 M50
3 Jeremy Whittet K&D 34.10 M40
26 Elaine Whyte Fraserburgh 39.10 F
35 Iain McIntyre HHR 41.18 M40
225 ran; full results here

Moray College 10k
1. David Simpson Carnegie 32:03
2. Forbes Reid Metro Aberdeen 35:52
3. Paul Rogan Forres Harriers 35:52
18. Elaine Whyte Fraserburgh 39:13
28. Michell Green MRR 41:29
30. Elspeth Jenkins MRR 41:32
39. Roxy Bannerman HHR 43:38
120 ran, full results here

Glen Affric Duathlon
1. Kenny Riddle HHR 2:11;40
2. Paul Rodden HHR 2:20:38
4. Dave Cummins HHR 2:26:39
5. Ade Pottinger HHR 2:28:23
28. Steve Wells HHR 2:50:49
45. Alasdair Lawton HHR 3:04:49
116 completed, full results here

Beinn Ratha
1 Graeme Taylor Caithness AAC 55:32
2 Steven Worsley HHR 56:21
3 Eric Duncan U/A 57:39
13 Martine Hughes Caithness AAC 01:14:12
14 Emily Hoskins Tain Runners 01:16:51
17 Alison Smith Caithness AAC 01:23:36
21 Russell McKechnie HHR DNF
21 ran, full results here

Three Peaks Race
Report from Fran: Myself and Ross both went down to the Yorkshire Dales for the 3 Peaks Race. With over 900 runners entered it could have been chaos but everything was very well organised. About 750 started and the first half an hour was pretty slow going as I got caught up in the hordes. Pen - y - Ghent (which really should be in Wales with a name like that) was first up and the rocky and runable tracks gave a taster of things to come. The downhill off the summit was great. The long slog over to Whernside wasn't. At least the sun was shining, but seemingly endless undulating hard track and road to Ribblehead got a bit tedious to say the least. Whernside and Ingleborough were slightly more interesting although fell shoes were not required despite the damp conditions underfoot. At least the large and enthusiastic crowds were generous with their jelly babies and water which certainly helped me keep going. At Hill Inn the ice-cream stand looked particularly inviting, but we had definitely strayed into Yorkshire at this point as no offerings of refreshment were forthcoming. The final 6 mile run down off Ingleborough after a fairly steady ascent was hard, rocky and the constant hard surfaces had turned my thighs to jelly and it was all I could do to keep the cramp in my calves at bay. At the end I just missed the 4 hour mark some 10mins off what I had hoped to get. Ross achieved a good time of 3.49 despite a sore throat and the onset of cramp at Whernside.

Cioch Mhor
1 Donald Naylor HBT MS 01:11:55
2 Alex Keith HBT M40 01:12:55
3 Colin Donnelly Lochaber AC M40 01:15:42
4 Neil Speight Highland HR M40 01:16:12
5 Alan Smith Deeside R M40 01:19:03
6 Ross Bannerman Highland HR MS 01:19:11
7 Manny Gorman Westies M40 01:20:22
8 Donnie McDonald Unatt MS 01:21:23
9 Steve Worsley Highland HR M40 01:23:19
10 Craig Love Dundee HH M40 01:24:53
11 Laurie Anderson Fife AC M40 01:26:05
12 Kevin Delaney Skye & Lochalsh AC M40 01:26:25
13 Nigel Fowler Fife AC M40 01:35:04
14 Glenn Edge Skye & Lochalsh AC M50 01:35:35
15 Colin Olden Unatt M 01:37:31
16 George Reid Unatt M 01:38:11
17 Roxy Bannerman Highland HR FS 01:41:59
18 Colin Wilson Carnethy HRC M40 01:42:31
19 Raymond Harrison Unatt M40 01:44:16
20 Charlie Love Dundee HH M65 01:44:31
21 Joan Wilson Carnethy HRC F40 01:55:42
22 Ernie Orr Lochaber AC M50 01:56:12
23 Christine Menhennet Westies F50 01:58:49
24 Jo Schreiber Pudsey & Bramley AC F40 01:58:49
25 Brenda Paul Westies FS 02:22:06

London Marathon
Report from Rob: After perfecting the no-training technique over the last few months (with the Inverness half and Nairn and portmahomack 10Ks as the various medium and long runs) I lined up together with my middle-aged body at the blue start this year, wondering why the hell I was standing in a pen with hundreds of other like-minded idiots with 26.2 miles ahead of me. Soon after the gun went off, I settled into a “well lets grind this one out” attitude, which was working well until I met my wife (the other HHR participant) who had come from the Celebrities start (lets face it she is more famous than me) and we had a brief chat before I set on my way again pondering the sanity of the operation.All went smoothly until about 8 miles, when I felt the blister on my left foot, present from roughly 6 miles, getting bigger and more painful. I met the 3-degrees support team at tower bridge, and galvanised by vanilla-gel and smiles, hobbled off to the 16 mile mark before collapsing into a St John’s tent for application of half a pound of Vaseline (on the foot!) and had a nice cup of tea. Meanwhile, outside, my now 8 minute lead over Alice started to be eroded. I limped around to 18 and repeated the treatment, and then ran-walked to 22, where after another gel-infusion from the girls, I hobbled off to 24 and another St John’s team for more lubrication.The last 2.2 wasn’t pretty, and somewhere in there Gordon Ramsay sneaked past me, and Alice got within 4 minutes of me. A final 3:50 finish gave way to a healthy few pints of London Pride in the aptly named Sanctuary House Hotel. Next year, maybe some training over 13 miles occasionally…..

15th April
Knockfarrel Hill Race
A record field was led home by Jethro Lennox, just missing the course record by 18 seconds. The womens' race was won by Dawn Scott, with her Lochaber club mate Colin Donnelly first veteran. A good run by Henry who finished first HHR in 9th place; full results available here.

9th April
Highlander Mountain Marathon
Congratulations to Ade Pottinger for winning the score event at this year's Highlander, along with partner Finlay Wild. Full results of all categories is available here, several HHR members taking part with varying results; of those that finished, Fran and Jonathan were 6th in the A class, Henry and Mark 5th in B class, and Ross and Russell 2nd in the C class.

Moray Roadrunners 10k
1. Alan Reid Peterhead 34:09
2. Frankie Barton Keith and District 34:31
3. George Sim MRR 35:17
37. Elaine Whyte Fraerburgh 39:41
44. Jacqui Higginbottom Carnethy 40:57
45. Lydia Davis MRR 40:57
80. Roxy Bannerman HHR 44:47
264 ran, full results here

Potmahomack 10k
1. Gordon Lennox Alness 35:56
2. Geoff Main Nairn Roadrunners 36:05
3. Andy Reid Forres Harriers 36:23
18. Catriona Fraser Inverness Harriers 44:57
26. Rob Shaw HHR 46:56
27. Mairead Black Aberdeen 46:57
28. Samantha Ross Evanton 47:11
29. Alice Snow HHR 47:38
64 ran, full results here

Craig Dunain Hill Race
1. Paul Rogan Forres Harriers 35:41
2. Dave Cummins HHR 35:59
3. Matthew Alexander UA 36:25
5. Ross Bannerman HHR 36:41
11. Mari Todd HHR 39:35
20. Jacqui Higginbottom Carnthy 41:17
30. Roxy bannerman HHR 44:43
39. Julie Cleghorn HHR 48:03
43 ran, full results here

Larig Mhor
1. Craig Mitchell Lochaber 1:29:01
2. Jason Williamson Cosmics 1:32:20
3. Ross Bannerman HHR 1:33:49
11. Dawn Scott Lochaber 1:39:26
58 ran, full results here

Highland Boundary Hill Races
Mari finished 3rd overall and 2nd woman in this three race series round Dunkeld. Full results are available here.

10th March
Inverness Half Marathon
Congratulations to Graeme, Henry and Dominic, who made up the winning team at this year's Inverness Half Marathon.
1. Michael Carroll Perth Roadrunners 1:07:18
2. Ben Livesey Forres Harriers 1:10:29
3. Barney Phillips Aberdeen AAC 1:11:07
9. Graeme Campbell HHR 1:13:54
11. Henry Blake HHR 1:15:29
19. Dominic McAdam HHR 1:19:08
23. Shona McIntosh Glasgow University 1:19:29
29. Dave Cummins HHR 1:20:32
32. Alison Docherty Central AC 1:21:25
38. Andy McMahon HHR 1:22:06
39. Megan Wrght HBT 1:22:07
49. Ian Meek HHR 1:23:16
216. Jonathan Appelby HHR 1:36:02
234. Ranald Whyte HHR 1:37:14
280. Rob Shaw HHR 1:38:51
293. Mary Johnston HHR 1:40:17
416. Alice Snow HHR 1:45:50
1053 ran, full results here

6th March
Nairn 10k
1. Ben Livesey Forres Harriers 32:57
2. Frankie Barton Kieth and District AC 33:39
3. Kyle Grieg Forres Harriers 34:11
25. Suzanne Swan Lothian RC 39:25
29. Elaine Whyte Fraserburgh RC 39:58
32. Morag Ross Inverness Harriers 40:04
59. Kevin Holliday HHR 42:44
84. Rob Shaw HHR 44:55
281 ran; full results here

Bishop Hill Race
1. Jethro Lennox Shettleston17:29 (record)
2. Andy Symonds Carnegie Harriers 18:12
3. Alastair Anthony Ochil Hillrunners 18:18
9. Henry Blake HHR 19:16
38. Ross Bannerman HHR 21:23
44. Elke Schmidt Bellahouston RR 21:54 (record)
53. Claire Gordon HBT 22:42
57. Dawn Scott Lochaber 23:01
178 ran, full results here

18th February
North District Cross Country League
Congratulations to Mari for a successful defence of her title, producing two final winning runs at Strathpeffer and Forres. A fine consistant season for Ross saw him finishing 10th overall. Final results and a record of all the season's results is available here.

Inchnadamph Weekend
The date of Inchnadamph has had to been changed from 24th Feb because there will be no staff to turn the heating on.
It is now the following week. Sat 1st March. The web site is http://freespace.virgin.net/chris.rix/lodgecontact.html
Tel: 01571 822218 to book your room or bed. There is a variety of rooms available. Even if you're staying in the bunk room please phone so the lodge has some idea of numbers.Y ou could stay two nights and book Fri as well.

Knockfarrel/Cioch Mhor
The date of the Cioch Mhor race has been changed to Sunday 13th April, the day after Knockfarrel to make a double weekend of racing. All other details are the same for Cioch Mhor, highly recommended as a leg loosener after Knockfarrel.

Culbin Forest Run and Orienteering
Some information from Mike Rodgers, race organiser:
This year's Culbin Forest Run will be on Wed 28th May and we're back to the original route (by popular demand). Registration from 6.15 and kids' race at 6.45. This is our 10th year and, specially for us, the Forestry Commission have built us a big new car park down at Wellhill. They're also about to build us a new toilet block, but even with all these mod cons we're still keping the cost of entry at £3. The other runs in the MFR series follow at the usual fortnightly intervals - Roseisle, Quarrelwood and finally Monaughty.

For anyone that might be interested in another kind of run in Culbin, the British Orienteering Champs are happening at the same place as the Culbin Run on Sat 19th April. I know you have a few orienteers amongst the club and they'll already know all about it. The organisers are expecting between 1000 and 1500 competitors, and with normal runners in mind, they're offering a course designed for local running clubs (a 'red' colour coded course in orienteering-speak). You can just turn up and enter on the day, but it's best to pre-enter and you can do this by going to www.boc2008.co.uk where you can get all the other info about the event. There are also 'white' and 'yellow' colour coded courses for kids of about 9 upwards, and judging by the succes of recent schools events we're held in Forres and Elgin, we think that any youngerstyers connected with your club might really enjoy trying it.

Highland Cross Places Available
We havebeen contacted with news of two places available on a team for this year's highland cross; entry fee £25 + £100 sponsorship; please email highlandhillrunners@yahoo.co.uk and your details will be forwarded.

1st February
Due to adverse weather, tomorrow's cross country at Strathpeffer has been postponed until the following Saturday, 9th February. All other details remain the same.

29th January
Cross Country, Strathpeffer
Please let Henry know asap if you are free to help with marshalling or timekeeping on Saturday. Free sustenance to all marshalls! First race (under 11) is at 1315, course map available here.

Slioch Horseshoe Race
New for the calendar this year, to be held on 31st May. Entry limit of 150, recent experience of A category races required. Click links for race information, course map and entry form.

Inchnadamph Weekend
Another weekend away, arranged for Saturday 23rd February; contact Russell if interested.

6th January
Training run; Glencalvie – Carn Chuinneag (ca. 10 miles and 2100ft ascent). Meet at the roundabout before Tain-Portmahomack at 0930. If you want a lift from inverness give Russell a shout.